The tradition of having a family coat of arms, or family crest, has been commonplace in Europe since the early 12th century. These symbols are sometimes also called “armorial bearings”, “badges”, “charges” or “devices”, and the study of these is known as heraldry. The jargon used to describe the elements of a coat of arms is called “blazonry”.
Q. Where can I find my family’s coat of arms?
Q. What does having a family crest mean?
Family crests and coats of arms are powerful family symbols passed down through generations. The symbolism in the design of a family crest or coat of arms can tell you about your ancestors’ achievements and status in society—a real testament to a family’s legacy.
Q. What does it mean if your family has a crest?
Q. What does a boar mean on a family crest?
Boar/boar’s head: bravery; fights to the death/hospitality. Dolphin: swiftness, diligence, salvation, charity, and love. Dove: loving constancy and peace; the Holy Spirit; with an olive branch in its bill, it signifies a harbinger of good tidings.
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The Difference Between a Family Crest and Coat of Arms Although the terms are now used interchangeably, in heraldry terminology, the family crest and coat of arms are not the same. The family crest is the symbol above the helmet or helm on top of the coat of arms.
Q. Where does the last name law come from?
The surname law was first found in Northumberland, where they were lords of the manor and seated from very ancient times. This web page shows only a small excerpt of our law research.
Q. When did the tradition of having a family crest start?
Sites such as 4crests.com, houseofnames.com, or allfamilycrests.com can show you your family name’s coat of arms. Although it may not always be specific to your direct lineage, it can give you good start. There is always an option to create a crest for yourself or your family from scratch.
